doctor's life support

4th August: The Discipline of Hardship

Endure hardship -- like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV)

Few would deny that the pre-registration year involves hardship. Physical exhaustion, mental fatigue and emotional stress are all part and parcel of a houseman's lot. God's word encourages us to see this experience as valuable discipline under his almighty hand. If our faith has not been tested before it will be now. If we have never had problems organising our day (and which of us has not?), we will have now. If we have never been exposed to temptations to immorality, we will be when we are housemen. The rigours of hospital life can make all these things seem hardships for us as God's people, but we must see them rather as part of his sovereign purpose in our lives, and go to him for sustaining grace, not only to bear them but to profit by them. Let us notice that whatever the source of the pressures, it is his hand alone that mediates and uses them (Rom 8:28-29).

Soldiers who have never been exposed to stress in training will not survive real battle conditions. Similarly, we shall never be mature reliable Christians unless we have been through the training of God's discipline. The pre-registration year is an opportunity to grow under his hand. Certainly, as we read in Hebrews 12:11, it may seem unpleasant at the time, perhaps even painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. We must play our part, in responding rightly to the opportunity, as God's adopted children, to benefit and grow from his discipline.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
His grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee, his only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

Rippon's Selection

Further reading: Rom 5:1-5. Heb 12:7-11.

JHCM